Effectiveness of virtual reality distraction during a painful medical procedure in pediatric oncology patients

2005/12/01 by Kate B. Wolitzky, Kate Wolitzky, Robyn Fivush +6 · 1 citation
Medicine · Neuroscience · #Empathy and Medical Education #Pain Management and Placebo Effect #Pediatric Pain Management Techniques

paper · doi:10.1080/14768320500143339

openalex publication_date 2005/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

The effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a behavioral intervention designed to decrease distress during port access procedure was examined in 20 7- to 14-year-old pediatric oncology patients. Children were randomized to either engage in an immersive VR environment during the procedure or to a no VR control condition. Children's distress was assessed through subjective self-ratings and objective physiological and behavioral ratings. Narrative accounts of the experience were used as a measure of how well the child coped with the procedure. VR was effective in reducing children's distress on all measures. Implications of these findings for intervention are discussed.

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